Ten well-appointed Zanzibari ‘bandas’ or traditional palm thatched suites bring new meaning to the concept of barefoot luxury to the discerning traveller. Each one is open-plan and airy, with its own private beach sala with Zanzibari sunbeds for absolute comfort. Dining is always candlelit outdoors whenever weather permits with the cool waters lapping nearby. The seafood and fresh fish dinners here are legendary – all the more delicious with feet in sand and a glass of chilled wine in hand.
For those who want to experience the protected coral reefs, the choice of activities is endless with two scuba dives a day or snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, windsurfing and fly-fishing.
Deep-sea fishing for barracuda, king fish, mackerel and Marlin can also be arranged.
In fact, each sun-drenched day is tailor-made to suit guest’s needs, starting with morning tea or coffee bought to guests at their banda. A scrumptious breakfast awaits with locally grown fresh fruits in abundance.
And as guest contemplate what to do during the day, they are secure in the knowledge that it will be entirely theirs as there is little or no coverage on the island – it’s truly remote. So whether they simply wish to drift off into a blissful sleep or explore the island on foot, the choice is theirs – and in their own time, with attentive staff second guessing every need without being intrusive.
A visit to a private island such as Mnemba after a safari experience in the African bush makes for the perfect combination, and ending this way doubles the relaxation scales as every care in the world finally drifts away.
Mnemba Island is a twenty minute crossing by boat from the island of Zanzibar – expect to get feet a little wet as you wade your way through sparkling clear water onto your Robinson-Crusoe type island paradise.